Gritty Shaw fuels Blackhawks

THE CHICAGO Blackhawks know all about Andrew Shaw's reputation around the league. They also know the pesky little forward is so much more than just another irritant for opposing players.

The diminutive Shaw sparred with Zdeno Chara, dished out nine hits and was in the right place when his team needed him the most Wednesday night in a thrilling start to the Stanley Cup finals. Shaw popped back up after he was knocked down and skated to the front of the goal to get a deflection on Dave Bolland's tip for the winning score in the Blackhawks' 4-3, triple-overtime victory over the Boston Bruins in the fifth-longest game in the history of the NHL's biggest series.

"We knew it wasn't going to be pretty at that point," Shaw said. "You could tell both teams were physically exhausted. We've preached it: Go to the net, you'll find a way to get a greasy goal."

Shaw, generously listed at 5-10, 180, was knocked down near the boards but got up as the puck came out to Michal Rozsival, who started the winning sequence with a shot from the right point into traffic. Bolland's tip then went off Shaw's right leg and past Tuukka Rask at 12:08 for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

And just like that, the longest finals game in 5 years was over.

"I think you could ask players on other teams and they'll tell you that he's not the type of guy that they like to play against," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said of Shaw. "But that's what we love about him."

Game 2 is tomorrow night at the United Center. Bruins forward Nathan Horton is day-to-day after leaving Game 1 because of an injury.

A day after signing coach Dan Bylsma to a 2-year contract extension, the Pittsburgh Penguins and star forward Evgeni Malkin agreed to an 8-year deal that will keep the 2012 NHL MVP and franchise cornerstone Sidney Crosby in the fold well into the next decade. The $76 million deal begins with the 2014-15 season.

General manager Ray Shero praised Malkin for being adamant about his desire to stay in Pittsburgh rather than hit the open market in a year.

"He made it very clear that this is where he wanted to play," Shero said.

* Dallas Stars prospect Scott Winkler died in his home country of Norway after recently completing his senior season at Colorado College. He was 23.

School officials said in a news release that Winkler died unexpectedly Wednesday at his parents' home. He was a third-round pick by the Stars in 2008.

The school said Winkler graduated from Colorado College on May 20 with a bachelor's degree in economics.